Cardenas wore the yellow jumpsuit of a problem inmate, although in his case, the problem is keeping him safe from other inmates.

Safety was also on the mind of the judge who dealt with the case for the first time.

Because Cardenas was arrested in May after girls at a Dinuba school said he was trying to lure them into his pickup truck, and because Cardenas refused to surrender to sheriff's deputies until after a SWAT standoff, Judge Kapetan said Cardenas would be a flight risk and a possible danger to society.

"I don't believe any amount of bail could ensure his attendance in court or, more importantly, the safety of society at large," the judge said. "Therefore, I'm setting no bail on this case."

Cardenas faces six felony charges and a possible life sentence.

He hired a Visalia attorney named Ryan Sullivan to defend him.

Sullivan didn't return my phone calls or e-mails, and he left court quickly without making any comment.

His client is due back in court in three weeks, and Sullivan told the judge he'll argue for a reduced bail.